Agricultural Damage and Losses from Habagat and Four Cyclones Reach P4.38 Billion

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Tuesday that the agricultural sector has suffered P4.38 billion in damage and losses due to the combined effects of the enhanced Southwest Monsoon, locally known as Habagat, and four recent tropical cyclones: Luis, Maymay, Neneng, and Pilandok. This figure reflects the final assessments conducted by the DA’s regional offices across multiple affected regions.

The damage and losses were recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, and Western Visayas. These weather disturbances impacted 99,663 farmers and fisherfolk and caused destruction to 81,511 hectares of agricultural land. Production losses amounted to 102,791 metric tons of agricultural commodities, highlighting the extensive impact on food production and rural livelihoods.

Rice accounted for the largest portion of the damage and losses, with an estimated P2.05 billion in losses. High-value crops followed with P1.38 billion in damages. The affected high-value crops included a wide variety of produce such as upland and lowland vegetables, spices, legumes, and fruits like avocado, calamansi, citrus, durian, guyabano, honeydew, lanzones, mangosteen, melon, papaya, passion fruit, pineapple, rambutan, strawberry, watermelon, banana, and mango. Root crops, commercial crops, and ornamental plants were also among those affected.

Corn production suffered losses amounting to P127.60 million, while cassava production incurred P30.94 million in damages. Livestock losses were estimated at P32.65 million and included a diverse range of animals such as chickens, fighting cocks, swine, cattle, carabaos, goats, sheep, ducks, rabbits, horses, quails, and turkeys.

In addition to crop and livestock losses, agricultural infrastructure also sustained significant damage. Irrigation facilities were damaged to the tune of P72.52 million, and farm structures incurred P40.64 million in damages. Machinery and equipment losses were estimated at P6.35 million, further compounding the challenges faced by farmers and agricultural workers in the affected regions.

The fisheries and aquatic resources sector was also heavily impacted, with losses totaling P647.79 million. Affected fisheries products included milkfish, tilapia, mangrove crab, oyster, giant freshwater prawn, catfish, sugpo, and fingerlings. This sector’s losses underscore the broad scope of the weather disturbances’ effects beyond traditional farming.

To assist those affected, the DA has made available P609.79 million worth of agricultural inputs, including rice, corn, and vegetable seeds. Additionally, farmers and fisherfolk may access loans of up to P25,000 under the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program administered by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC).

The National Food Authority (NFA) will also distribute 9,260 bags of palay-milled rice to local government units in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and MIMAROPA to support affected communities. These interventions aim to help farmers and fisherfolk recover and sustain their livelihoods amid the extensive damage caused by the recent weather events.